BU letters arrive for JC players

The Easter Sunday oral ommitments of junior college players Warren Jones and Jermaine Morgan to the Bradley men’s basketball program was celebrated by coach Geno Ford with a round of golf on Monday.

While waiting out a delay on the ninth tee, Ford spoke glowingly of the two newest Braves, whose signed National Letters of Intent had just arrived at the BU basketball office.

“We’re thrilled,” Ford said. “With these two along with Kendahl (Amerson), we’ve added three really high-level, accomplished players this spring from good programs who will be able to impact us where we needed help — on the perimeter and inside.”

Jones is a 6-foot-3 combination guard who averaged 16.8 points per game at Southeastern Iowa Community College. The 6-8 Morgan averaged 8.5 points and 8.4 rebounds at Moberly Area Community College.

Morgan, the Chicago native fresh from a de-commitment at Washington State, is an especially rare spring recruit for BU — a big, skilled player.

“We didn’t just need a big body,” Ford said. “We needed a big, active body with skill who should contribute immediately. Jermaine is long, athletic and has good strength. He’s very polished with a jump hook inside, he’s capable of making perimeter jumpers and he’s a good passer.”

Ford believed while Morgan’s at BU the next two seasons, he may well surpass his modest Moberly scoring average.

“He’ll be similar to (graduating senior) Tyshon (Pickett),” Ford said. “Tyshon put up better numbers in the Missouri Valley than he did in the Jayhawk League. A lot of times big guys in junior college don’t get a ton of touches because it’s more of a perimeter game.”

Jones’ value is multifold. As his scoring average attests, the Centralia native can put points on the board.

He does so in a variety of ways. Plus he’s also an able passer who gives the team versatility with an ability to play both guard spots as well as small forward in a pinch.

“Warren’s greatest gift is his ball skills,” Ford said. “He can get in the paint and play off ball screens effectively. He can deck it and pass it. He’s 6-3 with long arms and good bounce. People will be very impressed with his game.”

The coach is certain that folks will also be impressed with the newcomers off the court.

“They’re both high-character guys who will represent the program and university well,” he said. “Hopefully, they’ll enable us to win some more games, which we desperately need to do.”

Page 2 of 2 - Bradley is coming off a disappointing 12-20 season that ended with a third consecutive loss in the MVC play-in round.

Jones and Morgan make this a five-man recruiting class so far, joining 5-11 Tramique Sutherland, 6-6 Donte Thomas and the 6-2 Amerson. All but Thomas are junior college transfers.

BU has one remaining scholarship, which is being held for 6-7 Josh Cunningham of Chicago Morgan Park High School. Cunningham has indicated he will make his college choice this week, but there was no word Monday when that announcement will come.

Assistant update: Because of the busy recruiting season, Ford hasn’t had much time to address the opening on his staff caused by Greg Graham’s departure for Washington State.

The BU coach did mention that Cole Pittis, Bradley’s director of basketball operations the past two years, has increased his duties this spring with Graham gone and “is definitely a candidate.”

Dave Reynolds can be reached at 686-3210 or at dreynolds@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @daverynolds2.